Akimos

Introducing Akimos, a 5-year-old grey gelding, in training with the great Nicky Henderson LVO OBE.

Akimos was previously owned by Mr Paul Holden, who had a large dispersal of his racing stock. He was bought by Highflyer Bloodstock for £54,000 at the Goffs January Sale 2025, having come highly recommended by Nicky, who wanted to keep him at Seven Barrows.

Here’s Nicky to tell you more:

Akimos finished 5th on his first and only start in a Class 3 Introductory Hurdle at Newbury earlier this season. Beaten by expensive and more experienced rivals, he showed plenty of quality to stay on strongly and cross the line in front of multiple winners. Click HERE to watch the race.

In behind him that day was Star Time, a dual winner over middle distances on the Flat and La Marquise, who had not only already scored in both a bumper and over hurdles but also had Black Type on her page from placing in a Grade 2 Bumper at the Aintree Festival behind the exciting Diva Luna.

He really impressed his jockey, Nico de Boinville, who tells us that he too is delighted that Akimos will be staying in the yard…

Akimos’ sire, Westerner, won 11 times in a career that saw him earn over £1million in prize money. He excelled over staying distances on the Flat and secured victories in several Group 1s, including the Prix du Cadran and Prix Royal-Oak, as well as finishing runner up in the Gold Cup at Ascot and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

He retired to Castle Hyde Stud to join the Coolmore National Hunt stallion roster. Since then he has produced top class horses such as Cole Harden, Gilgamboa and Western Warhorse, along with Midlands Grand National winner Truckers Lodge, Ladbrokes Trophy scorer Total Recall and Love Envoi, who triumphed in the Mares Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Akimos’ dam, Redemption Song, was herself a multiple winner, who earned a peak rating of 120. Akimos was her first foal and it is through this side of his family that he is related to Duffle Coat, winner of the Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) at Cheltenham and six-time winner, Starchitect, who earned £145,000 and was placed on nine occasions.

The plan is to find another race for Akimos in the coming month, when the team will be looking to see him build upon his debut. A lot was learnt on his first start and there is a great deal of improvement to come in more suitable conditions.

It’s the ideal time to get involved with a very nice horse, who is just starting out in his racing career.

Nicky Henderson LVO OBE, is based at Seven Barrows near Lambourn, Berkshire. Nicky hit 3000 career wins in July 2018 and has been crowned Champion Trainer six-times during the course of his career. He has a formidable Cheltenham Festival record, having sent out over 70 winners there, eight of which have come from the Champion Hurdle.

Nicky was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to horse racing. Nicky has trained some spectacular Jumpers during his time, dominating the two-mile chasing scene with Sprinter Sacre and Altior. His yard is currently home to some of the best horses in the National Hunt Sphere, such as Constitution Hill and Jonbon.